Pros of Kano’s anti-corruption stance

There are allegations that the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission is only restricted to investigate public civil servants only, but recently Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, the Executive Chairman of the Commission came out to debunk the claim. The anti-corruption commission had on June 14, forwarded the preliminary report of the investigation in […]

There are allegations that the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission is only restricted to investigate public civil servants only, but recently Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, the Executive Chairman of the Commission came out to debunk the claim.

The anti-corruption commission had on June 14, forwarded the preliminary report of the investigation in which it indicated the Kano Emirate Council, to the Secretary to the State Government for appropriate action by the state government.

Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado has said the commission did so in the exercise of its powers under the provisions of Section 9 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended) and the Commission launched an investigation into the allegation and in conformity with the provisions of Section 15(2) and (3) of the Commission’s enabling law.

The Chairman said the commission, which he met with only three lawyers but now has ten, some with 15-20 years post call experience, has handled over 4,000 cases tabled before it.

Justice Uwais had long ago given judgement and ruled that nobody is beyond investigation for anti-corruption, that even the private sector is not immune, that any person, repeat, any person is liable to be investigated.

So Rimin Gado reiterated the fact that Section 15 of the Act establishing the Commission empowers it to investigate “ any officer charged with the receipt, custody, use or management of any part of the state , LG revenue, uses or mismanages any part of the funds, or uses false statement in respect of  the money received by him or entrusted in his care or possession or under his control is guilty of an offence, and on conviction shall be sentenced to a period of not less than 2 years”.

Emirate Council Funds Law of 2004 promulgated under the Gov. Shekarau’s administration, Section 4 say every LG, shall in respect of each calendar month, contribute 3% of its monthly statutory allocation to fund the emirate council.

Thanks to the Chairman, now we know, all government monies have to be appropriated and budgeted before spending, this was not done, he had said and certain expenditures were fraudulently done, some traced to foreign exchange operator’s account.

So, critics have the right to say whatever, that is their opinion, it doesn’t mean they are right, and the Chairman has said he is ever ready to meet such persons in court.

 

Alh. Abubakar Sokoto wrote from Kano.